Future of the Music Student

It is time for all to-be graduates to start considering what they want to be and what they want to study, same goes for me. I have been trouble by this thought ever since I chose my High School.

I very much want to be a composer, although there are a handful of obstacles that I need to encounter and wipe away. Before even thinking about the fact of applying. I have asked myself many times, is this what I truly want and will always want - the answer was always yes. Then I put some other factors to try to make my decision easier, can one manage with the salary, can one manage to support a family even if not too successful (trying to put add if it actually goes bad, will I still be able to 'survive') Is it better to take something else and have composition as a side-track? That was a though of mine, but it pained me to imagine to study something I don't burn for. This evening, mother and I had a talk. I told her that I had searched up information concerning the students who apply for The Swedish Royal School of Music. She wasn't too pleased to her my intentions, simply because my father is a photographer - and her highest wish was that I would never end up like him. 'Working' meaning that he takes pictures every so often and sells, not enough to keep the economy going, really.

I do understand her concern, and well she is my mother, one should respect them no? So my question is simply, is there a future in composition? Yes I know that the TV/Film/Game industry is growing extremely fast but is it big enough for 'all' composers?

Through out the history composers often needed financial help, how is it today? For the professional composers, I am not trying to be rude by asking how fat your wallet is, I never had that intention - I don't even want to know. I just want to know, is there a future?

I'm asking the same questions myself...

I'm experiencing a very hard time to find an answer, and well I need an answer fast since I have to apply and submit approx. 3 pieces before Christmas.

I found myself asking those exact same questions last year, with the same deadline for three pieces. I wondered how the hell I could make a living, and if I could truly become the composer I wish to be. I thought about doing something extra to live off of and compose on the side. Then I remembered that old saying, a saying which I am incredibly fond of, perhaps more than any other: "No one can serve two masters."

I realized the only way to go was to give myself fully to composing (or at least music...might do some conducting and performing if I must :P) if I truly want to pursue it. No matter what happens, even if I'm dying in a ditch somewhere with all music I've ever written burned up, and my hearing gone, at least I'll know that I gave myself to what I love, and that's worth more than any success I can imagine (with the exception of being a world renown composer, of course :)).

yes, my post was rather corny and whatever, but still....it's the truth ; )

Well, it is of course possible to make a living as a composer... Aside from the obvious, major examples (John Adams, Philip Glass, Karl Jenkins, John Rutter etc.), there are people on this very forum who manage it (Qccowboy, Nikolas and Dean spring to mind).

But you have to be good, and you have to be willing to work very hard. Any freelance work also requires you to motivate yourself day in day out; to avoid playing Solitaire for hours on end when you're sitting alone, unsupervised. To get training in the first place, you also need to have funds available to you.

The truth is that most people who go into the field don't make much money. The majority also find themselves doing teaching and tuition to get extra cash (not that I'm stating these as negatives).

From my perspective, despite being in the middle of a music degree, I plan to avoid heading into the arts when I graduate. Why? Because there isn't much money in it. If you want to make decent money in the arts, you have to be very career-minded, not to mention skilled. I don't really see those qualities in myself. Your mileage may vary, of course.

I think that there have been at least 2-3 thread in the same (pretty much) subject. I have posted in all of them, but I don't have the time to search my posts right now... :P

I will do so later on.

In short as a composer you can:

i. Teach

ii. Conduct (but you need to learn conducting)

iii. play in ensembles (if you know any instrument)

iv. write music for:

a. computer games

b. libraries

c. commercials

d. concert hall

e. film

f. documentaries

g. you get the picture

v. Write concert hall music

vi. Publish your scores/books

vii. etc

There are many things to do, if you are open minded. The trick is that everyone wants a career, which is not possible. 90% of the composers out there are not exactly "active" composers, and don't compose for a living, especially the classical ones.

And, btw, if you do consider concert hall music, which is doable (I know people who get their works played by the BBC orchestra, for example), forget any "classic"/"romantic" etc music. You do need to be fresh, otherwise no commitions will come to you. In short, why hire you and get you paid, when they can get a simmilar thing playig Chopin/Beethoven/whatever else?

(Dont' get in the above paragraph debate please. This is my personal, professional opinion. Keep it like this and move on)

I had a discussion about this with my dad a while ago. it's rough, and let me tell you, as a grade 11 student, I have the same thoughts running through my head.

my current plan : go to school for jazz performance. composition will come with the theory behind it... there is a lot less structural development necessary in jazz, because of the fact that 90% of it is just heads, or ideas, really, over a progression. the progressions are difficult, or can be, but the melodies can come pretty easy.

I don't know if that will work out, though. I have always had an interest in the sciences, so plan number 2 is to become a materials scientist (cross between a physicist, chemist, and an engineer) who make stupid big money from places like drug companies. they mostly are the people who design the pills and stuff, which is pretty lucrative. then, I would save money and compose on the side, and when I have a lot saved, I would probably go back to school part time for performance, and THEN deal with music for the rest of my life, but it's really all up in the air.

...go to school for jazz performance. composition will come with the theory behind it... there is a lot less structural development necessary in jazz, because of the fact that 90% of it is just heads, or ideas, really, over a progression. the progressions are difficult, or can be, but the melodies can come pretty easy....

:P

Your statement MAY have been accurate in 1935...but, you're about 90% misinformed there... You'll need tp quickly dispel with the notion that jazz is 'just heads...over a progression'.

You'd be very hard pressed to find anyone writing just leadsheets.

BUT anyway!!

Back on topic.

Yes, I know that there are a few who live on composing, problem was that I didn't know how many actually can! I know that Michel and Nikolas make the economy go round, but on the other hand they are much better than me and they have also worked with music much more than I have. If I choose music, I will really give everything I have, even start working during my education just to gain experience.

Why is it so tough *sigh*

But do you guys think that the market for composers will grow and become a better one?

A huge ego is definitely an advantage, though it might make an eventual fall to the ground even more painful. I wouldn't know that, however.. *laughs*

Also, you have to be dead. Once you've left enough music for posterity, remember to kill yourself/stage your own death or something. :P

I will indeed keep that in mind :P

If you're interested in an very turbulent "life as a composer", just do a little reading on Wagner's history: Richard Wagner - Wikipedia

While you're at it, read a few other biographies of composers you admire.

Outside of Bach and Handel, very few of them seemed to lead particularly great lives... I'd ask yourself the question of "is it worth it?" ... and if the answer is yes, by all means, do what it takes.

Myself? I've developed a set of in-demand skills that I can always fall back on if times get rough (software development, before someone asks.) I had to give up music for nearly 5 years, but as long as I keep my skillset relatively current, making a career from music isn't something I have to rely on. And now I have plenty of time to pursue music and composing as I wish.

If you do decide to take the non-music route, I suggest going somewhere that has a decent enough music program so that you can still take classes in what you're interested in.

JMitchem:

I find that the lives of Bach, Beethoven, Wagner, even Ligeti (who died 1-2 years ago) are completely irelavent to todays life, and won't help anyone, but only provide illusions!

I mean Wagner? How many living composers do you know who write operas alone? Or who actually "own" their own theater? Apart from A.L.Webber of course :P Who everybody loves to hate!

Saiming: Remember that Michel is 45 or something, and I'm 30! How old are you again? 18? 17? 20? You still have 10 years, or probably mor, before you "reach me". Don't you think that you will be "as good as I am", or even better? Especially if you DO study composition?

Also keep in mind, something about me: I have sacrificed everything else, in order to be a composer. I have risked, a great deal, and for a very small example, I took my family away and went to a different country to study and further my career. It's not something that everybody does. Would you consider taking your family and 2 children and moving to another country? So you can study?

It takes sacrifices, and probably more than other professions, but if you consider that a doctor studies for 10+ years in total, and the life they lead (for example a doctor), every profession has it's limtis, it's sacrifices, etc...

You just need to have an open mind, and be aware that you may not end up writing concertos (for example), but commercial music cues, fo 30 secs each. Which pays good money for 30 secs of music you know. :P Or loops, or pop, or be a producer. etc

There is NO gurantee that you will have a career, but I can promise you that if you don't try, you will 100% won't have one. I hope you see what I mean, right? It takes a lot and a "career" is not the only way to make a living...

You're right, it's not really relevant, except in the abstract sense of simply saying that "life as a composer is not necessarily as glamorous as you might think."

In fact, there's nothing relevant about what your life is going to be like; that's entirely up to you to decide.

JMitchem:

I find that the lives of Bach, Beethoven, Wagner, even Ligeti (who died 1-2 years ago) are completely irelavent to todays life, and won't help anyone, but only provide illusions!

I mean Wagner? How many living composers do you know who write operas alone? Or who actually "own" their own theater? Apart from A.L.Webber of course :horrified: Who everybody loves to hate!

Saiming: Remember that Michel is 45 or something, and I'm 30! How old are you again? 18? 17? 20? You still have 10 years, or probably mor, before you "reach me". Don't you think that you will be "as good as I am", or even better? Especially if you DO study composition?

Also keep in mind, something about me: I have sacrificed everything else, in order to be a composer. I have risked, a great deal, and for a very small example, I took my family away and went to a different country to study and further my career. It's not something that everybody does. Would you consider taking your family and 2 children and moving to another country? So you can study?

It takes sacrifices, and probably more than other professions, but if you consider that a doctor studies for 10+ years in total, and the life they lead (for example a doctor), every profession has it's limtis, it's sacrifices, etc...

You just need to have an open mind, and be aware that you may not end up writing concertos (for example), but commercial music cues, fo 30 secs each. Which pays good money for 30 secs of music you know. :D Or loops, or pop, or be a producer. etc

There is NO gurantee that you will have a career, but I can promise you that if you don't try, you will 100% won't have one. I hope you see what I mean, right? It takes a lot and a "career" is not the only way to make a living...

I do realize the sacrifices that 'have' to be taken, and I know that being a composer means a lot of hard work, but I also know that being a composer can be the most satisfying thing on earth; I mean don't you get a warm feeling when you hear your work being performed in for an audience. Money is not really the focus of a composer - it is music itself. Problem is that not many understand that and specially the ones who are not that into music and composition.

I just find that forming my future as a young 17 year old is extremely tough. What I will do is, that I will contact a person at the school and ask her to judge it, and see if she sees anything in my music.

But I didn't form MY future, until I was well into my 20s... 17 is a bit early you know :horrified:

As for composer for music, etc... Yes, sure but you also have to live, breathe, eat, etc...

So what happened during those years between finishing High School and being about 20? Did you consider for 3 years?! Then I really am just in the early stages :D

Breathing and living, bah can do that when I am dead :horrified:

Heh...

I started studying physics in the university and worked a bit!

Then I continued my piano lessons, got my degree in piano and harmony, and decided to go out. Then degree in counterpoint, etc...

So basically you studied Music at the side oh Physics until you finally changed?

Hmm, maybe I'll consider that :thumbsup:

I just find that forming my future as a young 17 year old is extremely tough.

Just so you know, you don't have to have everything figured out right now.

I suggest picking a path, going down it, and if and when you decide it's the wrong path, change directions.

I know very few people under the age of 40 who have everything figured out and are really living the life they want to live. And I've known several people that had been doing one thing for several years, and had built a life around it, and friends and colleagues, and then just one day decided to move on and do something different.

Is it harder to do some things when you're older? Sure. But it doesn't mean it can't be done.

I also suggest doing things that leave you pretty free to make such changes. Not necessarily to avoid obligations, but avoid things that tie you down until you have a better idea of what you want. (For instance, if you want to have the freedom to travel regularly, don't get a high-maintenance pet.)

I know you were asking about whether there's a future to composition, and this is off topic, but I hope it helps some.

JM, yes it sure does. The problem is that I have a hard time knowing that people do have a hard time knowing their 'correct' path, since almost all my fellow classmates have already decided and it is stone solid; I feel like an outsider.

I started studying physics in the university and worked a bit!

Next year I start...

JM, yes it sure does. The problem is that I have a hard time knowing that people do have a hard time knowing their 'correct' path, since almost all my fellow classmates have already decided and it is stone solid; I feel like an outsider.

Don't worry, I'm starting Feb. and I only really came to a conclusion about two or three months ago, although it is quite scary to be uncertian!

hi Saiming and to everyone

newbie here

Hi i'm also a music student who's financially problemed. Actually i have a lot to pay to the school even after i graduate. It's a long story. anyway,

I have friends that should have taken music but their reason for not taking it is because their not sure if they'll have a future taking it.

Same answer: Can't tell... the future's complicated and it's even scary...

but i just believe you'll have one if you persevere and aim to be the best...

why did i take music?: coz that's the only course i know i'll excel...

i don't even have an ultimate dream yet...it takes time to think... i'm just not wasting time...

im a music student 1st year......

for one, you have to think positively, as nikolas has listed there are plenty of options to make money in the music field. just because its more of a freelance career doesnt mean youll be sitting next to the vodka-begging bum in the gutter in search of food. at first i didnt want to go to school for music cause i thought i could just learn it all on my own (bad assumption i know). BUT theres so much more to music then i could have imagined....being "good enough" shouldnt be a problem for anyone who finishes a degree, its finding a job. but i look at it like this: id rather constantly find a job in a field im passionate about then work a steady job i hate. you get one life, and im ready to make sacrifices for music. i advise anyone who wants to choose music as a career to give it everything you have and dont worry bout finding a job when youre 17 and in high school. if for some reason i cant make it in music and i die in the streets next to the bum.....ill be dead and wont care, at least i tried :):D

Hi i'm also a music student who's financially problemed. ...

There's a redundant statement that's redundant.

Me personally, I'm currently tens-of-thousdands of dollars in debt. So what did I do? Moved to the city, started another degree. Duh!

Make the the sacrifices, do the work, be persistent and passionate and you'll pull through.

Don't let The Man get you down.